Pakistani PM warns U.S. against cutting military assistance

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that U.S. sanctions against Pakistani officials, or further cutting of military assistance will be counter-productive, local media reported Tuesday.

Abbasi said any such move would harm war against militancy, which both countries are fighting for the last 16 years, Urdu newspaper Roznama Express said.

He warned that Washington will not achieve its counter-terrorism aims by starving Pakistan of funds, adding that both countries need to make cooperative efforts to win over militancy in the region.

The PM's remarks came after Washington asked Islamabad to do more against militant group Haqqani Network, which it believes has close ties with Pakistan.

The United States also conditioned future aid to Pakistan on its tackling the network which is believed to be carrying out terrorist attacks at allied forces in Afghanistan.

Abbasi said it is unfair on the part of the United States to hold Pakistan responsible for all the troubles it is facing against militants in Afghanistan.

He urged Washinton to show more appreciation for Pakistan's losses in war on terror and its role in hosting 3.5 million Afghan refugees.

Talking about the U.S. Congress blocking the sale of subsidized F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, Abbasi said that Pakistan will have no choice but to look at other options to maintain its national defensive forces.